Up there in the north, preparations for Eurovision are a big issue and of course, already well underway! Immediately after confirming the conduction of their annual national selection event S÷ngvakeppnin once again in 2019, the Icelanders have quickly proceeded to the organization of the show whose winner will be offered the opportunity to represent the island nation in Tel Aviv.

Following the deadline’s closure for song submissions at the country’s national broadcaster R┌V, further details regarding the event are now being unveiled. As reported by the latter, a total of 132 entries have been submitted and will be evaluated by a 7-member appointed committee which will determine which ones will be competing at the two semi-finals and subsequently at the event’s Grand Final on 2 March.

Beyond the 132 submitted entries, R┌V holds the right to invite acclaimed musicians to submit their own compositions and be among the semi-finalists of 9 and 16 February. This year sees yet another change, as a total of 10 acts will be fighting at the live shows, instead of 12.

The Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center has called for Iceland’s Eurovision participants to be banned from entering Israel.

An Israeli NGO that has represented representing terror victims against terrorist organizations and terror-sponsoring countries, is calling on the Interior Ministry to ban Hatari from entering Israel. Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center is calling on the group to be banned from entering Israel due to fears in the Israeli media that Hatari will use the contests stage for a protest against Israel.

The Head of the Law Center has released a letter stating:

Last summer, the band signed a petition distributed in Iceland calling for the boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. After being selected, Hatari announced that it intended to protest against Israel on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest, despite the fact that it would violate the rules of competition.

According to the amendment to the Entry into Israel Law, a person who is not an Israeli citizen or in possession of a permanent residence permit in Israel will not be granted a visa or residency permit, if he or the organization or body he is working for has knowingly issued a public call to boycott Israel, as defined in the Law for Prevention of Damage to State of Israel through Boycott. The Icelandic band publicly and explicitly called for and supported a boycott of Israel. They must be prohibited from entering the country.

The Interior Ministry informed Ynet that the matter will be looked in to by the Ministry with the relevant other authorities. A spokesperson explained that:

In line with the amended law, the interior minister will receive a recommendation from the authorized body, the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, and only then make a decision.

Hatari have been subject to large scale media scrutiny in Israel since winning the Icelandic selection process. This followed a call from Hatari to the Israeli Prime Minister to a wrestling match. Along with reports in the Israeli media that Hatari are intending to use the contests stage for a protest.

This is what Ms. Darshan-Leitner had to say on the matter in a statement sent to wiwibloggs.

“We received information that the band representing Iceland supports a boycott of Israel. Last summer, the band signed a petition distributed in Iceland calling for the boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. After being selected, Hatari announced that it intended to protest against Israel on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest, despite the fact that it would violate the rules of competition.”

“According to the amendment to the Entry into Israel Law, a person who is not an Israeli citizen or in possession of a permanent residence permit in Israel will not be granted a visa or residency permit, if he or the organization or body he is working for has knowingly issued a public call to boycott Israel, as defined in the Law for Prevention of Damage to State of Israel through Boycott. The Icelandic band publicly and explicitly called for and supported a boycott of Israel. They must be prohibited from entering the country.”

The Interior Minister has issued a reply, stating that the organisations request would be considered upon receipt of a written letter. “In line with the amended law, the interior minister will receive a recommendation from the authorized body, the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, and only then make a decision.”

Op zondag 10 maart 2019 19:57 schreef Greys het volgende:“According to the amendment to the Entry into Israel Law, a person who is not an Israeli citizen or in possession of a permanent residence permit in Israel will not be granted a visa or residency permit, if he or the organization or body he is working for has knowingly issued a public call to boycott Israel, as defined in the Law for Prevention of Damage to State of Israel through Boycott. The Icelandic band publicly and explicitly called for and supported a boycott of Israel. They must be prohibited from entering the country.”